I have been reading a good book lately called Mindfulness for Dummies by Shamash Alidina. She is a mindfulness teacher, trainer and coach.
Alidina offers several simple ways to start practicing meditation and mindful breathing techniques for reducing stress.
It is hard to minimize the book with ten tips but to save you a lot of reading, here they are.
1.Spending Some Quiet Time Every Day:
By deliberately practicing mindfulness every day, you strengthen your minds ability to be more aware and awake.
2.Connect With People:
This tip is tough to during the pandemic but can do it virtually. By being less judgmental of others, we become less critical of ourselves.
3.Enjoy the Beauty of Nature:
This is an easy one. Who doesn't enjoy being out in nature. You can't help but being more present and aware when you are listening to birds chirping, breathing the fresh air and enjoying the scenery.
4. Change Your Daily Routine:
Try changing your routine to boost your mindful awareness. When your in your routine lifestyle, your mind goes into a sleep state. by making just small changes in your routine, your mind wakes up. you nudge your self out of your comfort zone and you are immediately more mindful.
5. See the Wonder of the Present Moment.
Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift. That is why it is called the present. This moment is the only moment you have. To really appreciate the present moment, feel your senses. Connect with your sense of sight. Notice the range of different colors in front of you.
6. Be Grateful Every Day
Gratitude is when you discover how to want what you have and not want what you don't have. Gratitude requires mindfulness.
7. Breath and Smile
"You will find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile" Charlie Chaplin
Mindfulness is not about forcing yourself to feel better. It's more about bringing a sense of curiosity to feelings and thoughts and gaining information from them. Being aware of thoughts and feelings and accepting them as they are is far more important than trying to change your thoughts and feelings. In other words accept your feelings but don't get consumed by them.